Portland, Oregon (June 2, 2017)- The Portland Timbers hosted the San Jose Earthquakes in their second match of the season. The last meeting saw the Earthquakes a 3-0 victor. Portland looked to redeem themselves in front of their 114th sellout home crowd.
Diego Valeri Scores Brace In Portland Timbers Win Over Earthquakes
In the fourth minute, Portland almost opened the scoring, but Dairon Asprilla was whistled for a push off inside of the penalty area. His headed attempt eventually hit off of the post and out wide. Referee Kevin Stott got it right. But the Timbers weren’t done. They were awarded a corner kick just a minute later from a dangerous attack. On the ensuing corner kick, David Bingham came up huge for the Quakes with his save on a headed attempt on goal.
San Jose had an opportunity in the 12th minute, but couldn’t convert. On the other end, Portland looked to counter and had their shot parried out by Bingham.
The Quakes almost gave up an unlucky goal after Bingham played the ball down from his chest to his feet. Adi was there to block the clearance attempt, and it ricocheted off of him and out for a goal kick.
As the game progressed on, the tempo and aggression got higher and higher. Many fouls committed and pushing and shoving. Head coach of the Timbers Caleb Porter also got a talking to after a foul on David Guzman.
The game got even more interesting in the 39th minute when Darwin Ceren received his second yellow card in less than a minute when he went in late on midfielder David Guzman. Both teams were still looking for their first goal of the match as they headed to the locker rooms for halftime.
Second Half
After the break, Quakes defender got caught ball watching yet again, as Guzman was able to play a ball into the box to find the head of Asprilla, but his attempt just missed the target.
However, Argentine maestro Diego Valeri opened the scoring in the 50th minute as he poked home his shot past Bingham. 1-0 to the home side Timbers.
The Timbers dominated the majority of the second half. With San Jose down a man for all of the second half, Portland had the extra attacker really helped them maintain possession, and able to create chances. San Jose got a few good looks on goal, but the Timbers defense was there to clear out any and all danger.
But it would be Diego Valeri again, who gets the last laugh after he tucks away a rebound goal after forward Fanendo Adi hit the woodwork in late stoppage time.
The Timbers would be victorious, defeating the San Jose Earthquakes by a score of 2-0. Diego Valeri with a brace on the night.
It’s also worth noting that Marco Urena will most likely get a call from the MLS Disciplinary Committee for his two kicks on Timbers keeper Jake Gleeson.
The Timbers are back at home next weekend to host FC Dallas, while San Jose is on a bye week.
